Embattled French leadership to scrap fuel tax rise

Dec 04, 2018, 4:40 AM EST

(Source: Elyxandro Cegarra/flickr)

The French government, after failing to bridle public anger that has resulted in violence and vandalism across major cities for the last three weeks, is caving in to the protests and could announce the suspension of plans to introduce an eco-fuel tax.

The “gilets jaunes” protests, sparked by a rise in duties on diesel, swelled into a movement via social media, with support from across the political spectrum, notes the BBC. President Emmanuel Macron, who came to power two years ago on the promise of introducing sweeping reforms, has accused his opponents of stoking the unrest even as his popularity continues to wane sharply.

A weekend of rioting, looting and destruction in Paris has forced Macron to reconsider his tough stance against protesters, who have broadened their demands to include calls for the president’s resignation and the dissolution of the French parliament, reports The Guardian.